IT News
Imphal, July 3:
Armed Kuki militants continue to attack villages in the periphery areas even after the government has promised to control the Kuki militants under the Suspension of Operation (SoO). A day after a bloody clash occurred at the periphery between Bishnupur and Churachandpur district yesterday, heavily armed Kuki militants attack villages in between Imphal West and the Kangpokpi district at Leikinthabi area today morning.
At least four houses including a farmhouse were burnt down by heavily armed Kuki militants today morning at Leikinthabi area under Sekmai police station in Imphal West. The armed militants reportedly came from Mamang Ching area of Kangpokpi district. The attack was reported at around 5 am today morning. Following the attack village defenders from Sekmai and various parts of the Imphal West and East district thronged to the area and retaliated the attack. At around noon, the village defenders tried to drive out the armed Kuki militants however were unable to do so as the militants were reported to strategically take their position at the hill areas.
Interestingly the attack comes a day after a call from the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) for military preparation for the Kuki volunteers. In a statement by the ITLF dated July 1, a day before the attack at Khujumantabi village in Bishnupur district, has called on the United Tribal Volunteers to prepare for military action.
Confusion was also created after Kuki Militants under SoO – the UPF and the KNO lifted the blockade imposed on the National Highway at Kangpokpi. Reporters who went for coverage of the blockade lifting news found that the announcement by the UPF and the KNO for lifting the blockade on the National Highway at Kangpokpi found out that the blockade was still imposed. Interestingly another press statement issued by the United People’s Front (UPF) stated that the UPF – Zomi comprising of ZRO/ZRA, HPC (D), ZRF, and ZDV stated that they are not the party to lift the blockade on NH-2.
